Rajdhani hijack case: New FIR mentions Maoist connection

October 29, 2009 21:06 IST

In an apparent damage control exercise in the Rajdhani hijacking case, a second First Information Report naming Maoists and a group backed by them has been filed by the Central Reserve Police Force, as against the Railway police's first FIR in which no group was mentioned.

"When the police forces were heading towards the train on October 27, they were fired upon by members of the People's Committee Against Political Atrocities and Maoists. An FIR has been lodged against them for attacking the police and attempting to prevent them from doing their lawful duty," said a senior police officer.

The CRPF had joined the state police in securing the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express to end the five-hour hostage drama in Banstala in West Midnapore district in West Bengal on Tuesday.

The CRPF FIR was in addition to the FIR filed by the Government Railway Police at the same police station on Thursday. Additional Director-General (Railway) Dilip Mitra said the GRP, in its FIR, named only 'unknown miscreants' for the train hold-up inviting criticism.

Mitra, who attended a high level meeting on the issue, said that security on trains and stations in the vicinity had been thoroughly reviewed and subsequent measures would require adequate resources in terms of finances and manpower.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Asok Mohan Chakraborty, Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen and Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh.